Launch of Mobile Number Portability delayed again, expected by June 30

There is further delay in the introduction of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service in India and it is now expected to be implemented by June 30 2010. It is to be noted that it has already been delayed twice. Earlier, DoT (Department of Telecommunications) had announced that, Mobile Number Portability (MNP) will be launched by September 20 in selected telecom circles. Then on Dec 31 2009 government again postponed the plan and decided to implement it all over India at one go by March 31 2010. Now the new date announced is June 30 2010.

Some operators are yet to test if their networks are ready to launch mobile number portability. The government has set a deadline of May 15 to complete the tests. Based on successful completion of the action taken DoT will finally decide the dates for MNP implementation.

MNP is already active in 45 countries including the Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan. In most of the countries it is free of cost. Lets see when and for what cost does Indians witness MNP service?